The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs . They are located in Des Moines, Iowa , and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. The Cubs have played their home games at Principal Park since 1992, replacing Sec Taylor Stadium which the Cubs used from 1969 to 1991.
62-761: The club was established as the Iowa Oaks of the Triple-A American Association in 1969. Iowa took on the Cubs moniker in 1982. They joined the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 1998 following the dissolution of the American Association after the 1997 season. In conjunction with MLB's reorganization of Minor League Baseball in 2021, the Cubs were shifted to the Triple-A East, which was renamed
124-736: A no-hitter against the New Orleans Zephyrs. In 2015, right-hander Carlos Pimentel won the PCL Pitcher of the Year Award after achieving a 12–6 record with 118 strikeouts and a 2.95 ERA. The Cubs returned to the postseason in 2019 having won the division with a 75–65 record, but they were eliminated by the Round Rock Express in the American Conference series. Colin Rea , who paced
186-769: A 140-game schedule with no All-Star Game or playoffs. In 1970, the AA returned to a two-division format, reintroduced the All-Star Game and playoffs, and expanded to eight cities with the addition of Wichita, Kansas , and Evansville, Indiana . The 1970s were a stable time for the Association with strong attendance and only minor franchise shifts. The league thrived during the 1980s and 1990s, along with all of Minor League Baseball as an industry. Affordable ticket prices, exciting giveaways and promotions, and new ballparks helped lure fans, especially families, back to minor league games. Half of
248-452: A game. The American Association's attendance base began to be eroded significantly in the 1950s and early 1960s due to expansion and westward migration of Major League Baseball teams into several of the AA's larger member cities, especially Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Another contributing factor was the increased frequency of televised games, both of MLB teams and the AA's own clubs, enticing fans to watch baseball from
310-466: A lesser quality of play during World War II , but quickly returned to a period of prosperity after the war. In 1946, the AA was reclassified again, this time as a Triple-A league. During the 1948 season, Brooklyn Dodger Roy Campanella was reassigned to the Saint Paul Saints. On May 18, he become the first person to break the color barrier in the American Association when he took the field in
372-491: A no-hitter against the Omaha Royals on August 21. The club was given the 1986 Larry MacPhail Award in rocognition of their marketing and promotion efforts. Sec Taylor Stadium was demolished after the 1991 season, and a new facility of the same name, later renamed Principal Park , was constructed on the site in time for the Cubs' 1992 season. Following a dismal 1992 campaign in which the Cubs went 51–92, they rebounded to win
434-796: A pennant winner, but the playoff champion would represent the league at the Junior World Series and be the recipient of a Governors' Cup. In the semi-finals, Indianapolis ousted St. Paul, and the Milwaukee Brewers swept the Kansas City Blues . The Brewers went on to defeat the Indians, four games to one. Unlike other minor leagues, the American Association survived the 1930s as the only circuit to play its full season schedule without stoppage, reducing its membership, or any teams disbanding. As with other leagues, it suffered from low attendance and
496-456: A team for its uniform color had been popular in the 19th century, it was not fashionable in the 20th. As Denver had no connection to the original Blues, and in recognition of the new location in the Rockies , the team became known as Bears. The new Denver team played at what became known later as Mile High Stadium , but was originally known as Bears Stadium, after the team. This ballpark was one of
558-517: A team of National League affiliates, 2–1. High attendance in Buffalo and across the league helped the Association draw over 3.6 million fans in both 1988 and 1989, the highest ever recorded by a minor league. The further expansion of Major League Baseball in 1998 spurred the re-alignment of the Triple-A classification from three leagues to two. The American Association disbanded for the second time following
620-664: The Buffalo Bisons , 3–0, in the championship round. The American Association, of which the Cubs had been members since their inaugural 1969 campaign, disbanded after the 1997 season. Its teams were absorbed by the two remaining Triple-A leagues—the International League and Pacific Coast League (PCL). The Cubs joined the PCL and won the American Conference Central Division title in 1998 with an 85–59 record. In
682-626: The Cleveland Bearcats . Looking to keep the Federal League out of Cleveland, which would have been in direct competition with his American League franchise, owner Charles Somers brought in his Toledo team to share League Park with the Cleveland Naps . The club returned to Toledo two seasons later after the dissolution of the Federal League. The outbreak of World War I brought further difficulties. A 1917 44-game interleague schedule with
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#1732848501117744-844: The Colorado State League . Off and on from 1901 to 1954, the city was represented by the Denver Bears of the Western League . In 1955, the Class A Bears were replaced by a Triple-A team of the American Association . This came about when the Kansas City Blues were forced to relocate after the American League 's Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City, Missouri , to become the Kansas City Athletics . Although naming
806-411: The International League was called off before Opening Day. In 1918, following a federal government mandate that men of draft age, such as the AA's players, would be eligible for the draft, the league cancelled the rest of the season on July 21. The league resumed play after the war, in 1919, and continued to be a successful venture despite the decade's problems. Much like other professional sports at
868-524: The Little World Series . Later, the teams would also compete in the Junior World Series , Triple-A World Series , and Triple-A Classic . Additional interleague play consisted of the regular season's Triple-A Alliance and Triple-A All-Star Game . The American Association was formed in the fall of 1901 by Thomas J. Hickey, who had recently been appointed president of the Western League and
930-570: The Omaha Royals . On May 26, 1978, Jack Kucek tossed a no-hitter at Sec Taylor Stadium against the Oklahoma City 89ers . The franchise was awarded the 1978 John H. Johnson President's Award , recognizing them as the "complete baseball franchise—based on franchise stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry." Former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa managed
992-785: The PCL Most Valuable Player Award . Led by PCL Manager of the Year Pat Listach , the 2008 Cubs won the American Conference Northern Division (83–59), but were beaten in the conference series by Oklahoma, 3–2. In 2010, the team was managed by Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ryne Sandberg who was also selected as the league's Manager of the Year. First baseman Bryan LaHair won the 2010 PCL MVP Award with his .331 average, 38 homers, and 109 RBI. On May 7, 2014, Iowa starter Chris Rusin pitched
1054-637: The Toledo Sox . The final award was issued to Dave Miley of the Indianapolis Indians . Specific General Denver Zephyrs The Denver Zephyrs (formerly the Denver Bears ) were a Minor League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado , United States. They were a Triple-A team that played in the American Association from 1955 to 1962, the Pacific Coast League from 1963 to 1968, and
1116-534: The 1983 Triple-A World Series . As part of the Triple-A Alliance, the AA and IL champions met in the Triple-A Classic from 1988 to 1991. All four Classics were won by Association teams. From 1988 until the league's demise in 1997, players from all three Triple-A leagues were selected to play in the mid-season Triple-A All-Star Game . One team was made up of All-Stars from American League affiliates and
1178-502: The 1993 Western Division title at 85–59 under manager Marv Foley . They met the Nashville Sounds in the best-of-seven championship series. Leading the series 3–1, the Cubs lost two consecutive games and were forced to a game seven. In the final game, Nashville held a 2–1 lead from the third inning to the seventh before the Cubs tied the game necessitating extra innings. An eleventh-inning walk-off home run by Iowa's Tuffy Rhodes ended
1240-540: The 1997 season. The league's final championship was won by the Buffalo Bisons, who still possess the trophy. The AA's teams were again distributed to the remaining leagues for the 1998 season. The Iowa Cubs , Nashville Sounds , New Orleans Zephyrs , Oklahoma City 89ers , and Omaha Royals joined an enlarged, 16-team Pacific Coast League. The Buffalo Bisons, Indianapolis Indians and Louisville Redbirds became part of an expanded, 14-team International League. On and off,
1302-430: The American Association again from 1969 to 1992. They played their home games at Mile High Stadium . The Zephyrs won the American Association championship on seven occasions: 1957, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1983, and 1991. They also won the 1957 Junior World Series and the 1991 Triple-A Classic . Denver, Colorado , had been the home of numerous minor league baseball teams dating back to 1885 with an unnamed team of
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#17328485011171364-530: The American Association champion played against the International League's champion in a postseason series similar to Major League Baseball's World Series . The first Little World Series , as it was called from 1904 to 1931, saw the IL's Buffalo Bisons defeat the AA's St. Paul Saints, 2–1. The series was held again in 1906 and 1907, but not played again until 1917. Due to the war, there was no series in 1918, but it
1426-594: The American Conference series, they were bested by the New Orleans Zephyrs, 2–1, in a rain-shortened series. Manager Terry Kennedy won the PCL Manager of the Year Award . Former Chicago Cubs manager and Iowa native Bruce Kimm managed the I-Cubs from 2001 to 2002. He led them to the 2001 division title (83–60), but they were again eliminated by New Orleans in the conference series. The Cubs won their second John H. Johnson President's Award in 2002. Mike Quade , former manager of
1488-704: The Bears drew an all-time minor league record of 65,666 for a game against the Omaha Royals , breaking their own record of 59,691 set on July 4 of the previous year. The Triple-A Bears were affiliated with the New York Yankees at the outset, with Ralph Houk managing many players who would reach the majors and play in the World Series . The team had some early success, winning the American Association championship in 1957. League MVPs in this period included Marv Throneberry in 1956 and Steve Boros in 1960. Although
1550-622: The Bears. The team won the Association's championship with some regularity, topping the league in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1981, and 1983. The 1980 Bears were recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time . In 1984, the team name was changed to the Denver Zephyrs, after the famous passenger train . Barry Larkin (1986) was league MVP while with the Zephyrs, as were Greg Vaughn (1989), Jim Olander (1991), and Jim Tatum (1992). ESPN broadcaster Orestes Destrade also played for
1612-615: The Chicago Cubs, managed Iowa from 2003 to 2006. The Cubs ended the 2004 season at 79–64 giving them another division title. This time, they defeated the Oklahoma RedHawks , 3–2, to win the American Conference championship. In the best-of-five Pacific Coast League championship series, they lost to the Sacramento River Cats , 3–0. In 2007, catcher Geovany Soto , with a .353 average, 26 home runs, and 109 RBI, won
1674-562: The International League (IL), while others (the Louisville Colonels and Omaha Dodgers ) folded altogether. The Indianapolis Indians joined the IL, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers , Denver Bears , and Oklahoma City 89ers went to the PCL. With major league expansion in 1969 and the need for four new Triple-A farm teams, the American Association was revived. The creation of a third Triple-A league would alleviate some of
1736-515: The International League in 2022. The only league title in franchise history is the 1993 American Association championship . Triple-A Minor League Baseball came to Iowa 's capital city in 1969, as the Iowa Oaks of the American Association (AA) began play as an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics . They played their home games at Sec Taylor Stadium , which opened in 1947 and was located at
1798-509: The Iowa Cubs. The name is often shortened to "I-Cubs" to avoid confusion with the major league team. Iowa teams of the 1980s often finished high in the standings but were unable to qualify for the championship playoffs, the only exceptions being in 1983 and 1984 when they earned spots in the semi-finals but were eliminated by Denver both years. Members of the 1982 team garnered several league awards. Jay Howell , who struck out 139 batters on
1860-596: The Iowa Oaks in 1979 prior to becoming manager of the White Sox. Pitcher Dewey Robinson was selected for the 1979 American Association Most Valuable Pitcher Award after achieving a record of 13–7 and 9 saves with a 2.93 earned run average (ERA) and 76 strikeouts . In 1981, the team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs . After a final season as the Oaks, they adopted the nickname of their parent team in 1982 becoming
1922-615: The Minneapolis Millers, four games to two, for the first AA playoff championship. The system was utilized again in 1933, but abandoned when Columbus again bested Minneapolis and advanced to play in the Junior World Series despite the Millers having the best record. No playoffs were held in 1935. In 1936, the league adopted the Shaughnessy playoff system in which the top four teams qualified for postseason play. The AA would still recognize
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1984-666: The Pacific Coast League disbanded, and the Cubs were placed in the Triple-A East . Iowa began competition in the new league on May 4 with a 3–0 loss to the Indianapolis Indians at Principal Park. On May 9, the Cubs tossed the league's first no-hitter when Shelby Miller , Tommy Nance , Brad Wieck , and Ryan Meisinger combined to no-hit Indianapolis, 2–0, in Des Moines. Pitchers Justin Steele , Scott Effross, and Dillon Maples threw
2046-541: The Year Award , introduced in 1946, was given to the best rookie player in the league. The first award was presented to first baseman Jerry Witte of the Toledo Mud Hens . The final award was given to outfielder and league MVP Magglio Ordóñez of the Nashville Sounds. The Manager of the Year Award , introduced in 1945, was given to honor the best manager in the league. The first award went to George Selkirk of
2108-454: The Zephyrs. On June 3, 1987, Zephyrs player Joey Meyer hit the longest verified home run in American professional baseball history at 582 feet. The Zephyrs' only championship under the new nickname was the 1991 American Association title. They went on to win the 1991 Triple-A Classic against the International League 's Columbus Clippers , 4–1. Major League Baseball came to Denver with
2170-530: The comfort of their own homes. Toledo suffered such poor attendance that the team folded during the 1952 season and was transferred to Charleston, West Virginia . In 1952, the league lost the Milwaukee Brewers who were displaced by the National League 's Milwaukee Braves . In 1959, the league expanded to 10 teams when it acquired three former Texas League clubs, but expensive and lengthy travel across
2232-548: The confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers . Many future Major League Baseball stars such as sluggers Bill McNulty , Hall of Famer Harold Baines , Pat Tabler , and 1971 Cy Young and MVP Award winning left-handed pitcher Vida Blue spent time with the Oaks. Both Bucky Dent and future Hall-of-Famer Goose Gossage played for the Oaks early in their careers. The A's farm club experienced winning seasons in 1970 and 1971, but third and second-place finishes kept them out of
2294-465: The end of each season, an Alliance champion was determined in the Triple-A Classic , a best-of-seven postseason series. All three Triple-A leagues, began participating in the Triple-A All-Star Game in 1988. The first of these events was held at the Buffalo Bisons ' newly-constructed Pilot Field on July 13, 1988. In the inaugural game, a team of American League-affiliated All-Stars defeated
2356-628: The game and gave the Cubs their first league title. Outfielder Eduardo Zambrano garnered the American Association Most Valuable Player Award after collecting 115 RBI and hitting 32 home runs with a .303 average. Iowa did not reach the playoffs again until 1997. They captured the Western Division title with a 74–69 record before defeating the New Orleans Zephyrs in the semi-finals. They were swept by
2418-444: The largest venues in history to host minor league baseball on a routine basis, and had the additional draw of being in one of the largest minor league markets at the time. For many years, the biggest crowds were on Independence Day fireworks nights, and the American Association scheduled the Bears for a home game every year. It was on these nights that the Bears drew the largest crowds in minor league baseball history. On July 4, 1982,
2480-551: The league with 14 wins, was recognized as the PCL Pitcher of the Year. The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic , before the whole season was cancelled on June 30. Following the 2020 season, Major League Baseball assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel. The Chicago Cubs retained Iowa as their Triple-A affiliate, but
2542-614: The league's history, followed by the Indianapolis Indians (12) and the Columbus Red Birds (10). Intermittently throughout its history, the American Association champion competed against the champion of the International League , which operated in the Eastern U.S., to determine an overall Triple-A champion. On rare occasions, the champion of the West Coast -based Pacific Coast League also participated. The first such meetings were called
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2604-514: The league's second no-hitter in the first game of a seven-inning doubleheader against the St. Paul Saints on July 11, a 1–0 home win. Iowa ended the season in seventh place in the Midwestern Division with a 50–70 record. No playoffs were held to determine a league champion; instead, the team with the best regular-season record was declared the winner. However, 10 games that had been postponed from
2666-431: The most in the league's history, followed by the Indianapolis Indians (12) and the Columbus Red Birds (10). The American Association regularly honored outstanding players and team personnel at the end of each season. The Most Valuable Player Award , introduced in 1929, was given to recognize the best player in the league. The first MVP Award went to shortstop Billy Rogell of the St. Paul Saints . The final award
2728-880: The name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches 60-day injured list [REDACTED] 7-day injured list * On Chicago Cubs 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated September 17, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • International League → Chicago Cubs minor league players The franchise has been awarded these honors by Minor League Baseball. Nine players, five managers, and one executive have won league awards in recognition for their performance with Iowa. American Association (1902%E2%80%931997) The American Association ( AA )
2790-579: The other of National League affiliates. Fifteen presidents led the American Association: League champions were determined by different means over the American Association's 90 years of competition. From 1902 to 1931, the league champions were simply the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular season. The first playoffs for determining champions were held in 1933. The Louisville Colonels won 15 American Association titles,
2852-681: The playoffs. The Oaks became the top affiliate of the Chicago White Sox in 1973. They won the East Division that season with an 83–53 record, earning a spot in the best-of-seven American Association championship playoffs, but they were defeated by the Tulsa Oilers , 4–3. Manager Joe Sparks won the American Association Manager of the Year Award . Oaks pitchers tossed two no-hitters in 1974, both in away games. The first
2914-449: The premier minor leagues in the country. Its teams, featuring former major league players and top minor leaguers, were both competitive and profitable. In 1914, the newly-formed Federal League placed teams in Indianapolis and Kansas City as well as other locals near American Association teams. One of only a few franchise shifts in the first incarnation of the AA occurred in 1914 when the Toledo Mud Hens moved to Cleveland, Ohio , as
2976-418: The spread-out league coupled with dwindling attendance was damaging to what had once been a flourishing circuit. By 1961, the league had been reduced to six clubs—just one a charter city—after having lost Kansas City and Minneapolis–St. Paul to the major leagues. After the 1962 season, the American Association disbanded, and some of its member teams were distributed between the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and
3038-422: The start of the season were reinserted into the schedule as a postseason tournament called the Triple-A Final Stretch in which all 30 Triple-A clubs competed for the highest winning percentage. Iowa finished the tournament in 29th place with a 1–8 record. In December 2021, owner Michael Gartner announced that the team had been sold to Endeavor . In 2022, the Triple-A East became known as the International League ,
3100-429: The team had been a member of the American Association since the league's inception 60 years before, it was a Midwestern circuit, so for the 1963 season, the Bears transferred to the Pacific Coast League . The mid-1960s Bears included such future big-leaguers as César Tovar and Ted Uhlaender , but lacked overall success. It also turned out that with the PCL otherwise all but confined to the actual Pacific Coast , Denver
3162-451: The time, the 1920s were a golden age for the American Association. The league drew record crowds that witnessed fast-paced games usually dominated by offence. This success, as well as its forthcoming innovations, positioned the AA to fare well during the Great Depression . On June 9, 1930, the league's first night game was played in Indianapolis as the Indians defeated the St. Paul Saints , 1–0, at Washington Park . Its first All-Star Game
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#17328485011173224-497: The top-ten drawing minor league clubs in 1985 were members of the American Association. From 1982 to 1986, the Louisville Redbirds led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance, including the 1983 season in which the club drew over one million fans. From 1988 to 1991, the Association participated in interleague play with the International League as a part of the Triple-A Alliance . The two leagues played an interlocking schedule consisting of 40 to 44 interleague games per team. At
3286-412: The travel costs incurred by having only two leagues spread out across the country. The new American Association would field six teams in 1969. It re-acquired its old Indianapolis; Denver, Colorado ; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , territories from the PCL, revived the Omaha, Nebraska , franchise, and added two cities ( Des Moines, Iowa , and Tulsa, Oklahoma ) that were new to the circuit. The teams played
3348-508: The way to a 13–4 record and a 2.36 ERA, won the AA Most Valuable Pitcher Award. Skipper Jim Napier was the league's Manager of the Year. Outfielder Mel Hall was the Rookie of the Year after accruing a batting average of .329 while hitting 34 doubles and 32 home runs and driving in 125 runs . Another Cub outfielder, Joe Carter , won the 1983 Rookie of the Year Award after stealing 40 bases and hitting .307 with 22 homers. In 1984, Reggie Patterson fired
3410-408: Was a Minor League Baseball league that operated primarily in the Midwestern and South Central United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. It was classified as a Triple-A league, which is one grade below Major League Baseball , for most of its existence. A league champion was determined at the end of every season. The Louisville Colonels won 15 American Association titles , the most in
3472-512: Was a founder of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues . Hickey resigned from the Western League to lead the new American Association, which elected not to join the National Association, thus becoming an "outlaw" league. The eight-team circuit fielded clubs in Columbus, Ohio ; Indianapolis, Indiana ; Kansas City, Missouri ; Louisville, Kentucky ; Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Saint Paul, Minnesota ; and Toledo, Ohio . The league's inaugural 140-game schedule
3534-404: Was given to outfielder Magglio Ordóñez of the Nashville Sounds . The Most Valuable Pitcher Award , introduced in 1969, was given to recognize the best pitcher in the league. The first award was given to right-hander Sal Campisi of the Tulsa Oilers . The final award went to right-hander Rick Helling of the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1996. No winner was selected in 1997. The Rookie of
3596-591: Was now located too far east. In 1969, the franchise returned to the American Association. The Denver Bears had some good teams from the 1970s to the mid-1980s, producing such players as Andre Dawson , Tim Wallach , Warren Cromartie , Tim Raines , Graig Nettles , Terry Francona , Wallace Johnson , Danny Morris , Pat Rooney , and Bill Gullickson . Denver players Richie Scheinblum (1971), Cliff Johnson (1973), Roger Freed (1976), Frank Ortenzio (1977), and Randy Bass (1980) were league MVPs. The managing careers of both Billy Martin and Felipe Alou began with
3658-493: Was pitched by Joe Henderson against the Wichita Aeros on July 31. The second occurred on August 25 when Butch Stinson no-hit the Indianapolis Indians . After one season as the Houston Astros ' Triple-A club in 1975, Iowa returned to the White Sox organization in 1976. Despite a number of winning seasons, they failed to qualify for the postseason during the five years of their second affiliation with Chicago. On September 1, 1977, Chris Knapp and Fred Howard combined to no-hit
3720-434: Was played in 1934. The Minneapolis Millers , who were in first place at midseason, beat the league's stars, 13–6. Until 1931, the league champions were simply the regular season pennant winners. In 1932, the first playoffs were introduced for determining champions. The league was divided into two divisions with the top team in each division meeting in a best-of-seven series to determine a winner. The Columbus Red Birds beat
3782-491: Was revived in 1919 and then played steadily through 1931. The 1919 event was named the Junior World Series , which became the official name of the series in 1932, and pitted the AA's champion against the Pacific Coast League's champion. The Junior World Series, with the AA versus the IL, continued from 1932 to 1962, and was held sporadically thereafter (1970, 1971, 1973, and 1975). American Association teams won 27 Little/Junior World Series. All three Triple-A leagues participated in
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#17328485011173844-434: Was to be played from late April to late September 1902. At the end of that season, the first American Association championship was won by the Indianapolis Indians . The American Association became members of the National Association after two seasons and was then classified as a Class A circuit. In 1912, it was reclassified as a Double-A league. Through the first 12 years of play, the AA established itself as one of
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